Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Procedure Steps

Eyelid surgery is a procedure performed by a cosmetic surgeon to reduce the aging signs around the eyelids and restore more youthful and alert looking eyes. Blepharoplasty procedure involves several steps, which can slightly vary according to the surgical technique adopted for lower or upper eyelid procedure.

During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will discuss the steps involved in the procedure. The patient will feel more confident about the procedure once they understand what it is going to involve.

Anesthesia

The surgeon may perform eyelid surgery with the patient under local anesthesia and mild sedation. If the patient has higher anxiety levels or the surgery is more complex, the cosmetic surgeon may recommend general anesthesia. This will be administered by an anesthesiologist or a registered nurse anesthetist.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will start the lower eyelid lift procedure by placing small incisions in pre-determined locations. Incisions are usually well-hidden in natural skin creases under the lower eyelashes. Through the incisions, the surgeon will remove excess fat or skin and may also tighten loose underlying muscles.

If the patient has significant depressions under the lower eyelids, an additional facial fat transfer procedure or dermal filler injections may be applied. Incisions will be carefully closed once the eyelid lift is completed.

Upper Blepharoplasty

The surgeon will place the incisions in the natural creases of the upper lids. Through the incisions loose skin will be trimmed away to eliminate the droopiness in the upper lids and address any concerns of partial vision obstruction. If the underlying muscles are weak or sagging, these may be reposition through the incisions.

Once the excess skin is removed, the remaining skin will be lifted and reattached to create smoother, younger looking upper eyelids. The surgeon will then close the wounds with fine sutures. Dedicated and adroit plastic surgeonDr. McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and nearby areas for eyelid surgery.

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty

A transconjunctival eyelid surgery may be recommended if the patient does not require skin tightening, but only needs fat deposit reduction around the eyelids. This is a relatively less invasive procedure and is appropriate for patients who do not have a significant issue of puffiness under the eyes.

Following anesthesia, the surgeon will create a few tiny incisions inside the lower eyelid. Excess fat pockets will be removed through the incisions to enhance the appearance of lower eyelids. Skin excision and muscle tightening are not a part of this procedure.

Recovery

Once the eyelid surgery is completed, the patient can usually return home the same day. They will typically go through a downtime of about one week, after which they can resume their regular activities or return to work. Ice therapy can be applied in the first two or three days to mitigate initial swelling.

The surgeon may prescribe mild pain medications and a topical cream to provide relief from initial discomfort. For the first several weeks, the patient should avoid sun exposure in the treated sites.

For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit: